... misgivings among substantial parts of the public and the business community about the sale. Some fear Riyadh is relinquishing its crown jewels to foreigners cheaply at a time of low oil prices.
Those misgivings are not likely to block the IPO, which is a central part of a drive to make the economy more efficient and diversify it beyond oil exports. Since 2015, the government has shown it is willing and able to carry out contentious reforms, such as cuts to civil servants' financial allowances.
But the public criticism, rare in a country where there is usually little open debate about government policies, could influence the way the IPO is structured. Up to 5 percent of the company is due to be sold next year, with listings in Riyadh and at least one foreign market.

a "huge" ship repair and shipbuilding complex at Ras al-Khair on the kingdom's east coast to be fully operational by 2021; first phase to be completed by 2018; will eventually make oil rigs and tankers (both of which are now way over supplied)

shipbuilding complex would create 80,000 jobs; would allow Saudi Arabia to reduce its imports by $12 billion; will increase the country's GDP by $17 billion

Once the Saudi Aramco IPO is "listed" I will add a new category to follow at the link. I am not quite sure how I will label it or "pigeon-hole" it. For now, I will call it the Saudi (Re)surgence but will probably call it something else once the (desert) dust settles, perhaps Salman's Folly or Salman's Strategic Plan, depending upon the mood I'm in.

We can start with this story being reported by CNBC, a typical superficial story (much like my blog) but one that will develop over time. In this story, an "analyst" provides some opinion on what the shakeup in the Saudi government portends. This is the 30-second soundbite, the elevator speech: "you're going to see a much more robust Saudi Arabia going forward. There's no question about it."

Or perhaps we can start with this story also being reported by CNBC, another superficial story (but better than the "more robust Saudi Arabia going foward" story. The 30-second soundbite, the elevator speech for this story:

While newly appointed [oil minister] is a capable technocrat, he is
unlikely to have the independent authority of his predecessor.
Importantly, (the 30-year-old Mohammad bin Salman) is more focused on ending Saudi's
dependence on hydrocarbons through sweeping reform and maintaining
market share versus Iran than he is on pursuing higher oil prices. While it makes for a big news headline, it does not represent a
shift in the Kingdom's current oil policy."

Let's drop back and think about this. If you are a prince and living the lifestyle of a playboy and it's clear that no matter how bad things get, you are set for life. If you are 80 years old, there is no question that you will outlive any problems that occur "now."

Something had to have happened that convinced at least a few princes that things might be more dire than the rest realized.

Despite all the upheaval in the Mideast, there seems to have been two "givens": the United States would always protect Israel and Saudi Arabia militarily. Israel proved that it could take care of itself pretty well. Saudi Arabia -- without oil -- no one cared about. Saudi -- with oil -- becomes a completely different story. Unlike Israel, Saudi Arabia never worried about its own defense: it had the assurance that the United States would protect it no matter what.

Then two things happened. Maybe the two were simply coincidental; maybe there was cause and effect between the two. For the purpose of this discussion, it doesn't matter. What matters is the outcome.

The two "things" that changed for Saudi Arabia:

Iran began to flex its muscles

the US explicitly stated that it was no longer a guaranteer of Saudi's existence.

For a 30-year-old prince who actually thought about these things, it was no longer a matter of living out his life as a playboy; it was a realization that Saudi's very existence was at stake.

It is fortunate for Saudi Arabia that the "22nd Amendment to the US Constitution" limits a president to two terms in office, a total of eight years. Time is running out for President Obama's goal to elevate Iran to the lone superpower in the Mideast.

It's unfortunate for Saudi Arabia that most folks see Hillary Clinton's adversary as an unelectable buffoon. Unless I'm misreading the tea leaves, Saudi Arabia has to assume Hillary will be the next president and Hillary will continue the policies advocated by Obama.

But Jarrett has had eight years to help Iran get where it is today. Huma will arrive on the scene late, and possibly in a greatly weakened position, especially if the Clintons/DOJ/FBI need a scapegoat.

So, at the end of the day, reading the tea leaves, the 30-year-old prince knows his #1 job is to provide military security for his country. The US will no longer provider that security.

There is an element to truth about Salman seeing the need to end Saudis dependence on hydrocarbons but the question has to be asked, "why now?"

The 800-pound gorilla in the Mideast is the fact that Saudi's sovereignty is no longer guaranteed by America, under the Obama Doctrine.

Salman may want to end his country's dependence on hydrocarbons but he has a bigger problem: his dependence on the United States.

By the way, as a digression: can anyone name one thing that Saudi Arabia has that isn't related to hydrocarbons. Yes, there is one: Mecca as a travel destination. More on that later.

As I was saying: Salman may want to end his country's dependence on
hydrocarbons but he has a bigger problem: his dependence on the United
States for Saudi's very existence.

Two recent stories bring this home, both of which have been reported in the past week or so as headline stories even though neither story is particularly new.

The first story: Saudi is working closely with Israel with regard to national security for both countries.

The second story: the 30-year-old has not ruled out Saudi Arabia "going nuclear" as they say.

********************************

Salman's Strategic Plan

The second linked story has it right: Salman's Stragetic Plan will get a lot of headlines, but not much will change. Certainly not much will change in the near term, and it's unlikely that his plans will amount to much in the long term, if his goal is to wean Saudi Arabia off hydrocarbons.

He can put some petrochemical plants in his country; he can add some refineries. He can expand operations in the US. But guess what: it's still a hydrocarbon-based economy. Saudi is nothing without oil and sand.

Because of the trillion-dollar mistake, Saudi Arabia has had to postpone/cancel solar energy programs. Saudi had hoped to sell solar energy to the rest of the region. Not gonna happen any time soon.

As an example of how limited their options, it appears (and I'm not making this up), Salman hopes to increase tourism to his desert kingdom. He feels that the required trek to Mecca by believers can be greatly expanded.

If Salman's stated intent is to get the country off its dependence of hydrocarbon, he is certainly taking baby steps. The IPO is projected to be worth no more than 5% of the value of the variously reported $2 to $3 trillion. My hunch: about 3% will be offered -- 3% of $3 trillion = $100 billion in round numbers.

But this is all getting deep into the weeds. Folks are asking the wrong question: why is Salman offering an IPO in the first place? Because Saudi made a trillion-dollar mistake and is burning through cash.

It was the trillion-dollar mistake that forced them to raise money through an IPO in the first place.

But even that is missing the bigger story. Why does Salman need to raise cash?

Salman needs cash to fund his military in light of a) a stronger Iran; and, b) losing the US security umbrella. "Going nuclear" requires a lot of money.

Thank you for your kind words. I am not as articulate as I would like, but I think I get my point across. There are a few typographical / grammatical errors it the long note above, but I will eventually correct them as I find them.

I was fortunate to get this posted as fast as I did; already today, we are getting more information on this IPO. It will get a lot of press for quite some time now.